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Bariloche mountain bike

The adventure capital of Patagonia, Bariloche first developed as a world-class ski resort, eventually becoming an important mountain sports center. Mountain biking is one of the region’s top draws, with great trails and backroads snaking throughout this amazing mountain setting. Our tour mixes the best cross-country, singletrack, and downhill rides of the region, and takes you through jaw-dropping landscapes.

Our night descent from Cerro Otto is an unforgettable experience. Cerro Catedral, on the very edge of the Andes Range, offers us great singletrack trails and descents, with views of the inmense, radiant-blue lakes at every turn.

We will also take you to remote areas, far from the traditional tourist circuit. The Patagonian Steppe sits nearby – the true Patagonia, as some like to call it. Vast, desolate lands, with magnificent exposed geology creating a multicolored landscape. This region is inhabited by ranchers and farmers, for whom traditions inherited from their native and European ancestors are still part of everyday life. There are countless backroads and cattle trails throughout, many of which are wonderfully adapted for cross-country and singletrack riding. We will also take you to the famous Manso River, which offers great trails through native forest in the heart of the Nahuel Huapi National Park, as well as a fun-filled rafting journey to the Chilean border – lots of fun and adrenaline within a magical natural setting.

We have considered every detail of your stay in Bariloche, so that this trip becomes an unforgettable Patagonian experience.

Our trips are always special. We use the word special when other adjectives aren’t enough. But if were to explain our difference, we could say it lies in the details. To achieve extraordinary service, we know that we have to pay attention to every detail. From the beginning to the end of your vacation, every moment of your stay with us has been carefully thought through. Details that will make you feel comfortable and relaxed throughout the journey. Details that will surprise you. Details that will make you say, when you are back home, how “really special” your trip was. And that will make you plan another trip to the Patagonia before you’ve left. Every inch of the routes has been planned and re-checked before every departure, helping us anticipate your every need throughout the trip. We do, however, love to leave room for improvisation – and we have the best people for this. Because you should not program a stop to watch the flight of the majestic condor, an evening of magical and indescribable colors, or a deer racing into the forest in the Patagonian Steppe. This is part of the Patagonian experience, after all.

Our guides almost inevitably become your friends. They know how to get you to the best spots. You will relax and enjoy great moments with them, and they will reveal the secrets of this amazing place to you. True hosts that will introduce you to a new culture. We’ve been riding in this region for many years. Sharing our best trails with new friends is a privilege. We will take you to places that you could not find on your own - and in the end, you will know why Patagonia is so special. We have been designing and organizing trips throughout the Andes for years. Our experience tells us that change is constant, which is why we continuously re-think our itineraries, and work with all parties in ensuring the highest quality services. On every one of our tours, our team meets previously to go over every detail, so that you can live a dream vacation.

The hotel: Hostería Santa Rita - Set a few kilometers outside central Bariloche, on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi, this family-run inn offers marvelous views from every room - the inmense blue lake, as well as the mountains and forests on the opposite shores, will not cease to amaze you. The Hosteria lies on a small cliff over a private beach, surrounded by native trees, creating a sense of peace and tranquility. There are plenty of dining options within a short distance, as well as rapid access to central Bariloche and to Villa Catedral, the region’s main ski resort (and the largest in South America). Finally, the warm, personal attention of Santa Rita’s owners makes this the perfect base for your week in Bariloche.

Bring your companion - Anyone can come along in your adventure – non-bikers included! If your friend, couple or family does not want to ride on a bicycle, we can put together a personalized itinerary for them. Always within the general itinerary for the trip you have chosen, we can offer options based on the interests and tastes that you indicate – from outdoors activities, to guided cultural or historic outings, shopping, or simply staying at the hotel to enjoy a spa and thermal baths. You will share evenings at the hotels, breakfasts and dinners, landscapes and destinations, only in a different way.

Day 1: night descent of Mount Otto - the perfect welcome
This afternoon we will receive the group with a welcome cocktail, followed by a detailed presentation of the tour, as well as a mini-clinic on mountain biking. We will fit the bikes and have a brief ride, making sure everything is in perfect order, after which we will hop on our van, driving to the top of Cerro Otto. The upper ridge of the mountain has great riding trails, crossing through thick forests – there are trails with different technical levels to choose from. The views from atop are truly magical, with the Andes Range on one side, the Patagonian Steppe on the other, and lakes and forests all around us. We’ll view the sunset over the Andes, while enjoying our welcome dinner at the famous Berghof mountain lodge - what a treat! The adventure continues when we get on our bikes again, for a nighttime descent all the way back to town. With the city’s lights off in the distance, and wrapped in the immense darkness, our lamps will guide us on our way down. You will surely remember this experience!

Approx. 15 km (9 miles) over dirt and gravel road or trails, with some light hills at the start, then all downhill, medium technical difficulty.

Day 2: the Ñirihuau Valley – great riding through ranches, rivers and canyons
After a morning ride in our van, we’ll arrive at the edge of the Patagonian Steppe. With impressive peaks and green forests in sight, we’ll begin this magical day, going through the Ñirihuau River Valley. We will near the Cerro Las Buitreras (Vulture Nest’s Mountain) - this amazing peak is famous as a preferred breeding area for the Andean Condor, and its eroded volcanic rock makes for a truly impressive sight. We finish our morning’s biking when we arrive at Estancia La Esperanza, where we’ll live a very special day. La Esperanza (Hope Ranch) is a working ranch, situated in the heart of the Ñirihuau Valley, set deep among mountains outside Bariloche. We’ll meet Gerd Hickmann, our host at the ranch – born in Germany, Gerd is today an adopted Patagonian man. We’ll also meet Anastasio Vera and his family, who live in the ranch year-round. Anastasio belongs to a group of very special people – the baqueanos, as those born in the Patagonian countryside are known, descendants of the mythical gauchos – and will delight us with tales of the hard Patagonian winter, his knowledge of the local wildlife and the fascinating history of the region. In this company we will enjoy a traditional asado (grilled meat) prepared over an open fire in the gaucho manner, while we enjoy Argentine yerba mate. After lunch and relaxing at the ranch’s main house, you will have the option for more biking. You can also opt to go horseback riding through the tight canyons of La Esperanza, under mountains and peaks eroded by the wind, creating an imposing and majestic landscape. This is also a special place for viewing the native fauna – it is common to see the Andean Condor flying high above, or red deer racing towards the forest.

25 km (15 miles) over dirt back roads, some gravel, some light uphills, low technical difficulty.
Optional - For horse lovers, this is a unique opportunity - please ask us previously, so that we can organize your horseback riding outing after our morning ride (this activity is not included in the price of the tour).

Day 3: mountain bike and rafting in the Manso River
The day begins with a morning drive, heading South in our comfortable van, travelling over the edge of the National Park – a fantastic ride, winding through various lakes and mountain ranges covered with thick native forests. After an hour and a half on van, we arrive at the Manso River Valley, inside the National Park. This will be a day of adventure – first we will jump on our bikes, initiating a wonderful ride over trails on the edge of the river. After this very fun stretch on the bikes, we will stop for a light lunch, taken outdoors, inside an exuberant forest with views of the river.
The magnificent Manso carries cristal-clear snowmelt waters, fed by the mountain chains of the region, and winds its way towards the nearby Pacific Ocean in Chile. This creates an awesome setting for a rafting journey. The river’s rapids are great for a safe and fun rafting experience. After this fantastic experience, we’ll have a barbeque lunch together, prepared by our friends at the Manso.

21 km (13 miles) over dirt trails, with some steep hills, medium tecnical difficulty; some streams have to be waded on foot.
Rafting is class III + or below, depending on conditions. No previous experience is required.

Day 4: singletrack below Cerro Catedral
After a day of so much adrenaline, we’ll begin this day a little later, so that you can sleep in a bit, or enjoy the patio and views at the Santa Rita. Another fantastic mountain biking experience awaits us, this time over singletrack, with plenty of fun downhill trails. After a short drive to Villa Catedral, the resort base for South America’s most developed ski area, we’ll use the lifts to access the magnificent views atop Catedral’s upper ridge - these world-class sights are not to be missed. You can choose from restaurants on the mountain or at Villa Catedral for your lunch.
We’ll hop on our bikes again, this time en route to Lake Gutierrez – its deep blue colors contrast with the dry mountains on the opposite edge, as well as with the inmense native forest below our feet. Here you can choose from taking a smooth, easy dirt road, descending to the lake’s shore. Or you can get on a tight singletrack trail that crosses the forest, always on the side of Mount Catedral, negotiating roots in some stretches, or controlling your speed as you descend fast over smooth singletrack. Once we arrive at the lake, we’ll stop at Hosteria El Retorno, where we can rest and have tea while soaking in the delightful scenery at Lake Gutierrez. If you haven’t had enough adventure, we can join Lake Gutierrez with the Virgen de las Nieves (Our Lady of the Snows), crossing little used trails through pretty forests in the outskirts of Bariloche.

Approx 20 km (12 miles) of technical trails over the foothills of Cathedral, with sectors of roots and rocks, medium-technical difficulty, and some steep hills. The dirt trails to Virgen de las Nieves are mostly flat or rolling hills, with few steep uphills, low technical difficulty.

Day 5: the magical Patagonian Steppe
Today’s journey begins after a brief shuttle to the mouth of the Limay River. Fed by the snow melt waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi, the river is truly beautiful – its turquoise and emerald waters make their way under eroded rocks and jagged peaks, and poplar trees line its shores. We will pedal over a remote dirt road taking us through small farms and ranches – here we will have the opportunity to see and meet local farmers. At some stretches, we’ll get off the main road, going over off-road tracks that take us to impressive views of the distant Andes Range. With some luck, we will see local wildlife, like the guanaco (a type of llama), its elegant silhouette off in the distance; or even the choique, a type of rhea that is native to the region.
Upon arriving at Villa Llanquin, a small country town on the shores of the river, we are awaited by a true feast - a lamb will be prepared for us, roasted over an open fire, in the traditional Patagonian manner, by our friends at Llanquin. We’ll eat together in the outdoors, celebrating this week of adventure. We’ll have plenty of time to rest up by the river, take a soak in the water, or even do some more mountain biking in the afternoon.
Tonight we’ll have our goodbye dinner at a local brewery.

26 km (16 miles) on dirt and gravel roads and trails, with some steep hills.
Optional: Additional 25 km over dirt trail, with some very steep hills.

Day 6: adios in Bariloche
After breakfast, we will shuttle you to the Bariloche airport. For those remaining in the region, or continuing your trip within the Patagonia – and we highly recommend it – we will gladly help you with your travel plans within Bariloche or Argentina

Dates: 2008: Nov 18-23, Dec 7-12 2009: Jan 4-9, Jan 28 - Feb 2,Feb 22-27, Mar 15-20, Apr 7-12
Tour begins in Bariloche, Argentina Tour ends in Bariloche, Argentina
Price: US $1,590 (single supplement - add US $220)
Difficulty level of activities: This tour is designed for all experience levels, using mostly dirt or gravel backroads and trails, with very little or no vehicle traffic. The support of our van, and the possibility of traveling at your own pace, make this trip accessible to riders with little previous experience – you can skip the stretches that do not interest you. For advanced riders, more technical sections are available on many days. This tour can be both easygoing and challenging – you decide how you want to approach it.

what's included
. All accommodations (two persons per room . single accommodations can be arranged for an additional US $220)
. Guides (bilingual English-Spanish)
. Mountain Bikes (see below)
. Large, comfortable support van equipped with VHF communication radio (everyday, with on-board full service, including fruits, power bars and other snacks and drinks)
. Entry fees for all parks
. Lift passes on Mount Catedral
. Rafting trip on the Manso River, with professional rafting outfit
. All 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners (with 2 glasses of wine per person)
. Private transfer to Bariloche airport on the morning of tour's last day
. Daily trip information notes, with maps, routes and detail on the region
. Tips at all hotels and restaurants that are part of the tour
. Pre-trip information package with details on how to prepare, what to bring, and plenty of information for your travel to Patagonia
. 1 gift per person

mountain bikes included
Our quality GT Avalanche 2.0 and Schwinn Mesa GSD , with front and rear disk brakes, front suspension, 24-speed Shimano Deore or Alivio groups. Available in size S, M, and L.
Optional rental - our Merida Matts TFS 700 / TFS 500, recently stocked and like-new, excellent mountain bikes, with Shimano Deore/XT 27-speed group, dual-control shifters, suspension control from the handlebar (remote lock-out). Available in size S, M, L and XL. The additional rental rate is US $130.
The bikes include a bike computer, and upon request, a rear rack with medium-sized top bag for carrying dayfs essentials. Hand pump, spare tire tube, tire repair kit and tools. These bikes possess the ideal characteristics for this tour, assuring a comfortable and stress-free ride. We take great pride in the care we give our bicycles, and we will do our very best to maintain them in great condition every day of the tour!

This planned itinerary can vary, in the routes used, activities, accomodations or others. Dirty Bikes is always looking to improve the trips we offer, and we can modify the final itinerary because of this. We can also modify the itinerary in response to climate or safety conditions on any day of the trip. We will always try to inform our guests with regards to any change, with as much anticipation as is possible